NTSB Recorder Specialist Cassandra Johnson works with officials on the scene of the Amtrak Train 188 Derailment in Philadelphia. (NTSB photo)
Amtrak

FBI Investigating Whether Object Hit Amtrak Train Before Derailment

The FBI will investigate a report that the Amtrak train involved in this week’s deadly derailment was hit by a projectile before crashing, according to news reports. Eight people were killed Tuesday after New York-bound Amtrak train 188 derailed north of Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. According to a CNN report, a SEPTA train was struck by an object around the same time. A conductor told the NTSB she thought she overheard engineer Brandon Bostian tell the SEPTA train via radio the Amtrak train had also been struck.

Member Robert Sumwalt on the scene of the Amtrak Train #188 Derailment in Philadelphia.
Amtrak

Boardman: ‘Amtrak takes full responsibility and deeply apologizes for our role in this tragic event’

Amtrak’s president and chief executive officer Joe Boardman sent the following letter on Friday: The derailment of Northeast Regional Train 188 was a terrible tragedy that we are responding to with every resource we have available. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation to determine the cause of the incident, and Amtrak is providing full cooperation. With truly heavy hearts, we mourn those who died. Their loss leaves holes in the lives of their families and communities. On behalf of the entire Amtrak family, I offer our sincere sympathies and prayers for them and their loved ones. Amtrak

NTSB Recorder Specialist Cassandra Johnson works with officials on the scene of the Amtrak Train 188 Derailment in Philadelphia. (NTSB photo)
Amtrak

Death Toll Reaches Eight in Tuesday Amtrak Derailment

The death toll from Tuesday’s Amtrak derailment in Philadelphia reached eight. Dozens more remain hospitalized. Investigators believe the train was traveling at more than 100 mph at the time of the wreck. The speed limit on the curve where the train derailed was 50 mph. All 243 people on board the train have been accounted for. Investigators are planning to interview the engineer. According to his attorney, the engineer has no recollection of the crash or the events leading up to the derailment, various media have reported. “With truly heavy hearts, we mourn those who died,” Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman

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Amtrak

Six Killed in Amtrak Derailment in Philadelphia

Six people were killed Tuesday when an Amtrak train from Washington to New York derailed in Philadelphia. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of life from Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 that derailed north of Philadelphia Tuesday evening,” Amtrak said in a statement. Amtrak said there were 238 passengers and five crewmembers on the train at the time of the crash. At least 140 people were taken to area hospitals, some in critical condition, according to news reports. Amtrak service on the Northeast Corridor between New York and Philadelphia has been suspended.

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Amtrak

Amtrak Loses $72 Million in FY 2012 on Food and Beverage Service

ATLANTA — While Amtrak has reduced how much it is losing on food and beverage service, the passenger railroad still lost $72 million in Fiscal Year 2012, according to a recent report from the inspector general. Nearly all of the loss — $71.5 million — was on the railroad’s long-distance routes. The railroad did see an $800,000 profit on the Northeast Corridor. The Auto Train was the biggest loser, hemorrhaging more than $13 million during the year, according to the inspector general’s report. The railroad’s food and beverage losses have totaled more than $1 billion over the last 12 years,